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Crain’s decided to use the calendar flip as a platform to ask experts in various sectors what’s in store for 2014. Here's what insiders expect in industries such as auto suppliers, health care, defense, nonprofits and more. Welcome to 2014.

This year, much of the focus in Michigan politics will be on the gubernatorial election, but the presumed candidates, Democrat Mark Schauer and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, are not the only ones worth keeping an eye on in 2014. After talking to observers in and around the Capitol, Crain's has narrowed down that list to 10 people to watch in Lansing this year:

Don't expect a slew of public hearings in Detroit's Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy case this year. Even though the year ended with three critical days of trial on whether to approve the city's $350 million financing package from Barclays plc, other than hearings on the city's plan of adjustment and a disclosure statement, much of the action will take place behind closed doors.

Many employers who face higher health care benefit costs in 2014 plan to pass those costs to employees. This has been a trend that employee benefit experts have been tracking for the past decade. But those higher monthly premiums beginning this month from private insurers will include separate line items for five or six new taxes and fees — expected to add 5 percent to 7 percent to total health care costs — that are designed to help pay for the Affordable Care Act.